FAQ: What Is Happening with Steps?
UPDATED 10.16.2025
Why did the state offer the $144 million zero-interest loan to the CSU?
The 2025-26 Budget Act included a $144 million funding deferral to the CSU. To help the University close the one-year funding gap, the Legislature offered the CSU a loan - the same amount as the deferred funding - with zero cost to the CSU. The University can pay off the loan next July, using the deferred funding the state already committed to.
Who is eligible for the extra pay?
According to the CSU, all employee groups such as CSUEU, Teamsters, and other represented employees.
Does this one-time bonus replace our getting full Steps?
NO! We are back at the table to negotiate the partial Steps implementation which took effect Oct. 1. The fight for full Steps will be central to our negotiations for a new full contract in 2026. Join the Contract Action Team to help prepare for campus actions.
What is happening with Steps?
CSUEU informed the CSU Our Union informed the CSU on Sept. 23 we are willing to return to the table to negotiate for full implementation of Salary Steps, including discussing any potential measure that could be helpful to Staff when partial Steps implementation takes effect on Oct. 1. Our agreement is conditional: We demand that the CSU accept the state loan and use the funds to bring relief to workers through full Steps or a one-time wage increase.
When is the contract re-opener and what is likely to happen?
We are discussing with the CSU about the terms of the meeting. Like any negotiations, what the CSU is ultimately willing to agree to depends entirely on our collective power. Are you a member? Can you talk to co-workers who are not yet members?
What is happening on Oct. 1?
The CSU is implementing a new salary structure, moving from open range structures (where salary ranges contain only a minimum and maximum salary amount) to a Steps structure which includes guaranteed steps within a salary grade. We won this in our 2023 contract because Steps help workers reach pay equity while providing predictable wage increases year-to-year.
What is the difference between partial and full steps implementation?
“Partial” implementation is everyone moves to the immediate next step above their current salary.
“Full” implementation is everyone immediately moves to the actual step they should be on based on length of time spent in current classification (as of Oct. 1, 2025), or the next step, whichever is higher.
Which version is the CSU implementing on Oct. 1?
The CSU is moving ahead with partial implementation of Steps on Oct. 1. That’s what the technical letter they sent out was about. They’re contractually required to do this regardless of what else we bargain.
What is the dispute between us and the CSU?
Our contract says that if the Compact (state budget commitment to CSU) is fully funded, full implementation is supposed to happen automatically. If not, then we and the CSU are supposed to enter into a contract “re-opener” (contract negotiations over just one specific topic, in this case Salary Steps) to bargain over what should happen.
The CSU maintains that the funding level for automatic implementation of full steps has not been met. We disagree. However, without a direct state mandate, we’re considering entering into re-opener negotiations so we can make progress on the substance of this matter – fair pay and salary equity – and not the technicalities.
Is our fight for full Steps over?
NO! We keep fighting til we win. Our contract expires June 30, 2026, and our Bargaining Team will meet with the employer to negotiate over the entire contract. Locking full Steps into our contract will be our No. 1 bargaining priority.
We have time to organize, escalate, and become strike-ready for maximum leverage! But to do that, we’ll need a strong Contract Action Team (CAT) to mobilize our entire membership.
We plan to hold a bargaining summit early next year for members who are ready to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work to win. More info to come!
What about IRPs? Should I be filing one?
Our Union position is that IRPs are back, because the CSU invoked the reopener. CSU disputes this. That said, IRPs are deeply flawed, they are functionally discretionary for management. We want guaranteed money, not discretionary money! When we negotiate as a united group, we do better for all of us; when we negotiate alone (IRP), we are much weaker. So, to answer the question: It is up to you whether to file an IRP, but, be aware that management may reject it, and even if they accept it for processing, it’ll probably be denied. CSUEU members are much better off fighting for a piece of the loan money.